Local News

Fire lines hold in Brimson Complex despite gusty winds

KAXE

Published May 21, 2025 at 11:26 AM CDT

Lingering smoke drifts through fire-damaged timber as crews continue work along a dozer line on the Brimson Complex in May 2025. Hazardous snags and smoldering fuels remain a concern as containment efforts progress.

Critical fire weather returned to Northern Minnesota on Tuesday, but firefighters' efforts paid off, as lines held and containment even increased.

Firefighters' efforts paid off Tuesday, May 20, as lines around the wildfires near Brimson held despite strong winds and low humidity.

Containment around both fires also increased, with the Camp House Fire 73% contained and the Jenkins Creek Fire 13% contained, as of a Wednesday morning update from the incident management team.

Acreage estimates remained steady for the Camp House Fire and increased roughly 50 acres for Jenkins Creek.

The Jenkins Creek and Camp House fire perimeters, according to a May 21, 2025, update from the incident management team. The black lines represent a contained fire edge.

The Jenkins Creek Fire is now listed as human-caused, though an investigation continues. The cause of the Camp House Fire is still only "under investigation."

A fire was reported near Ely on Tuesday amid the dry, windy conditions. Crews quickly contained the 2.8-acre fire and will continue to reinforce the perimeter Wednesday, the U.S. Forest Service said. The fire was caused by lightning from last week's storms.

Overnight precipitation continued to aid in cooling the Brimson fires. The incident management team said crews will work to connect portions of the containment line Wednesday, with additional firefighters moving from the Camp House Fire to Jenkins Creek.

Other Camp House crews will move deeper into the southern end of the fire to address hot spots.

Evacuation orders lifted, roads reopened

Evacuation orders for 13 zones were lifted Wednesday morning, though those zones remain in Set status. An additional nine zones improved to Ready status.

Highway 44 and County Road 110/Forest Road 11 also reopened. Bundle Lake Road north of Highway 16/Town Line Road remains closed.

The St. Louis County evacuation map as of the morning of May 21, 2025.

The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office said returning property owners should call 911 if they see smoke or flames outside the already burned area or anywhere it is clearly a hazard. Smoke from stumps and debris within the fire's footprint should be expected.

"The fire has weakened trees and the winds are strong, so be mindful of the possibility of trees falling," the sheriff's office added.

"Also be mindful of fire and utility crews, and their equipment, which remain in the area."

Russell Coyle was last seen in Kelliher on April 24, 2025.